BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN)—Retailers in the Western region will benefit from faster shipping times from Quality Bicycle Products as early as next spring, when the distributor plans to have a Utah warehouse up and running.
QBP officials have signed an “incentive commitment letter” with the state of Utah and a “memo of understanding” with the city of Ogden to purchase land and build a new distribution center in Ogden. A site has been selected and QBP officials anticipate signing a formal purchase agreement this month.
The Minnesota distributor has a large customer base in the southwestern and Pacific states. From Ogden, it will be able to provide ground-based shipping to most of the western region within two days or less.
“Ogden provides a great location for serving our western customers,” said Steve Flagg, president of QBP. “The city attracted us with its core group of recreational industries and its strong commitment to bikes for commuting and recreation.”
While building the new facility, QBP will lease a building in the Ogden area and hire 50 people to begin operations in spring 2010 and intends to double that amount once the new distribution center is completed. The facility will focus on distribution operations and eventually bring some of the QBP brands’ headquarters to Ogden.
QBP will build the 85,000-square-foot building according to standards set by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Its 250,000-square-foot distribution and office complex in Minnesota is LEED Gold-level certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“QBP is a significant player in the cycling industry and we are excited they have chosen Ogden to expand their operation. Their presence is yet another confirmation that Ogden is quickly becoming the outdoor mecca for all high adventure recreation,” said Mayor Godfrey.
Utah is currently the site for the outdoor industry’s major show, Outdoor Retailer, which takes place twice a year in Salt Lake City. The state is also home to major outdoor brands such as Black Diamond, Petzl and Salomon, among others.
“The addition of QBP to our outdoor products and recreation economic cluster in Utah is significant,” said Spencer Eccles, executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “We know that QBP brings a strong commitment to the environment and will further strengthen Utah’s leadership in the outdoor products industry.”
—Lynette Carpiet
